With their first quarter of this NFL season concluded, the Indianapolis Colts currently stand at 2-2. There has certainly been a lot of ups and downs thus far, but the Colts are looking forward to what’s next; especially when it’s a primetime road game against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
The Colts will enter Week 5, having been upset by the Chiefs’ divisional rival Oakland Raiders last Sunday. It was arguably the team’s worst performance of the season and the injury bug bit them once again. So we could only imagine how the Colts will respond in their toughest matchup of the season.
Here are three key matchups to watch in the Colts’ Week 5 bout against the Chiefs:
QB Patrick Mahomes vs. Colts’ front seven
There’s no way to do a “Key Matchups to Watch” piece against a team with the reigning MVP and not mention him. Even if he were struggling, you still have to do it out of respect. But for the Colts, they aren’t facing an MVP winner who’s struggling. They’re facing a player who is not only likely to win the award again but break some records in the process.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is currently on pace to have the league’s first-ever 6,000 passing yard season, while also surpassing more than 40 touchdowns. The Texas Tech product has already faced his share of competitive defenses, and still maintained the poise, execution and rare talent which makes him so special.
If there’s any hope for the Colts defense, despite going against a version of Mahomes that has produced 1,500 passing yards after four games this season, it’s you can still slow him down. Last Sunday, the reigning MVP didn’t throw a touchdown and completed just 57% of his passes against the Lions, who often got the best of him during their exciting encounter.
TE Travis Kelce vs. Colts’ secondary
There was going to be a time when Travis Kelce became the best tight end in the league, and that time is now. Following three, consecutive seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards, including last season’s total of 1,336, Kelce is clearly the best at his position and could be for a while.
Kelce brings various factors to the table, that’ll make him a tough matchup, especially against these Colts. First of all, he can line up anywhere on the field. Secondly, his combination of size, speed and route running can’t be countered by any defensive player. Lastly, Kelce is a very efficient pass-catcher. Since September 15th, the Cincinnati product has caught 21 of 25 passes thrown his ways.
As I mentioned multiple times in this very same piece last week, the Colts’ are developing an early and troubling tendency of not stopping opposing tight ends. Since Week 3, the AFC South competitor has allowed that position to catch 13 out of 15 catches for 119 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
RB Marlon Mack vs. Chiefs’ front seven
Even with a lot of the focus on both team’s quarterbacks and other well-known contributors, this game will always come down to who exploits their matchup the best. While the Chiefs will feel very confident about what they can do, so should the Colts. Especially when it pertains to running back Marlon Mack and who he’s facing on Sunday.
If he’s able to play, Mack would face a Chiefs defense that is currently ranked 31st in defending the run. This could be a huge development to watch because not only is Mack is the fifth-highest rusher in the league right now, but the Colts will likely rely on their running game as a way to silence the crowd and keep Mahomes and the Chiefs offense off the field for long periods of time.
